Quickstep

The test spots can tell you a lot and if you are unsure with the first test spot do a second one.  In the case of the Mustang, I spent a half hour doing the two test spots and I stopped since I knew I had a major paint issue and it required expertise.  After contacting the painter, I was given some simple instructions of what not to do, such as Wax, Coat, etc., as it just results in more work for them to prepare the car for painting.  

I use the Eco APC, just as in the video.  Rinse down, spray with APC, and I use the lug brush in the tight spots.  I did not have enough grime to need the wheel brush.  Then I rinsed off, and closed the hood while I did the rest of the car.  Once it was dry, as others have mentioned, I use VRT and In & Out Spray.  On the Vette, you will love how VRT works on the air intake under the hood vent, and how well it works on all of the trim between the windshield and firewall.  In & Out spray works great on the throttle body, and around the fuse box.  

Week 11 (better late than never) is a little longer of a video, but it covers a topic with a lot of variables. "WHAT DO I COVER, IF ANYTHING, UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I CLEAN IT?" We use 3 different vehicles to illustrate the various scenarios you might run into when cleaning your own car and touch on what needs to be covered and what to look out for.

 



 

IN THIS VIDEO: All Purpose Cleaner   |   Dilution Bottle  

Wheel Brush   |   Trim & Lug Brush   |   Wheel Woolie

Super VRT   |   In & Out Spray   |   Block Sponge

Master Blaster   |   Detail Spray

 

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The Eco APC is my favorite to use. It foams up nicely.

Agreed. No need to touch that with anything other than a soft brush unless you get a spot that needs removed.  

One area you'll want to avoid getting soaking wet is the sound / heat blanket on the underside of the hood.  If you do, you run the risk of it sagging and possibly pulling through those plastic plugs and coming loose, not to mention there is no quick way to dry it.

VRT and In and Out is what I use in mine.  Brilliant Glaze on the chrome. 

Your engine bay is super easy to clean with Our APC and dress with our VRT AND In & Out spray.....Check out the videos.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Check out the Adams video on the subject!

I use pre-mixed Rinseless Wash (at wash strength) in a pump up sprayer, with lots of work MF towels and a few brushes.  I use VRT 'milk' (VRT mixed with distilled water at 50/50) as a spray dressing on the plastics, and wipe level with a MF.  You can also use In & Out Spray to dress the engine. 
If the engine is dirty (yours is NOT!), you need APC or Tire & Rubber Cleaner.

Congrats on a year in business Shane! You make great points and as a fellow business owner for over thirty years I will tell you that you are off to a great start. No matter what type of business you are in you can offer your clients three different variables- low price, high quality, and a high level of service. You can offer two of those variables at one time but not all three. My advice would be to focus on building long-term relationships with your clients and offer them high quality and service. Charge a fee that is fair to the client but fair to you as well. When people discover how good you are and trust is established they think of you as a friend and friends take care of each other!

Ok,here are some photos after two bucket wash, clay bar, and buttery wax application. Used Adam’s glaze after that. 

Very nice! This weekend I'll be detailing my wife's MB E350 for the first time with Adam's products. Your results look amazing!

Man that’s a nice car! Congrats ? 

Welcome Eric......nice car!

Are you asking about removing wax residue?  If you are, by hand with a soft microfiber is the best way. If you have any stubborn residue, you can use a small spray of detail spray to loosen it.
 
Machines serve their purpose, but I’m not convinced applying/removing waxes is one of them. 

Patriot is super easy to use.  You can polish it by hand or with a machine. I've done both with excellent results.  And if Patriot isn't in the budget right now, you'll get fabulous results with the Americana as well.  Both are long lasting and give deep shine.

Ok,here are some photos after two bucket wash, clay bar, and buttery wax application. Used Adam’s glaze after that. 

I'm sure it does pop, but it will pop even more if you take the time to give it a good detailing despite being brand new.  You'll be amazed at the difference.
 
As for the interior, it depends on what you're trying to do?  I'd at the bare minimum use the Leather Conditioner on the leather surfaces.  Or if you want to go to the next step, there are companies that offer fabric/leather coatings/protection.  There's a couple we use with good results.
 
It all comes down to how much effort (and money) you want to put in.

First of all, congrats on the new car.  That's a beautiful car and on my radar for vehicles to own in my life.  What color did you get?
 
Anyway, on to your questions.  A new car doesn't negate the need for a detail.  New vehicles aren't exempt from contamination and damage, although they typically don't need as much in the way or restoration typically (there are exceptions).  The other thing you want to do is protect your new car. 
 
Our new vehicle prep workflow looks something like this:
 
-Strip wash
-Wheels
-Iron decontamination
-Clay
-Polish any areas that need polishing.  This is typically accomplished with a finishing polish as it's the least aggressive of the abrasives and smooths everything for some extra gloss
 
And here's where there's a bunch of options...
 
You can seal, glaze and wax.  You can ceramic coat.  You can have paint protection film installed and then do any of those steps over it.
 
The PPF will be the most durable of all, but it also comes at a price that's not small.  Ceramic coatings are a similar story.  The ideal perfect world is PPF and ceramic.
 
Traditional sealants and waxes wear significantly faster than the other other options and need to be reapplied to have them continue to work.  If you enjoy detailing your car, it's not such a big deal.  We have a number of clients that prefer to drive their car over having it in the shop being detailed or doing it themselves.  For some, they like to maintain their finish themselves.  It comes down to what type of owner you are.  There is NO wrong answer to that question. 
 
If you have specific questions on any of the steps, don't hesitate to ask.
 
Again, congrats on the new ride!

Welcome Eric, and congrats on the new car! 
Since you picked up the car from the manufacturing site you may be able to skip some steps that are needed for cars that are shipped.  Try the 'baggie' to determine if the surface (paint and windows) needs to be clayed.  Feel a clean surface (the hood works great) with your bare hand.  Now place your hand in a plastic bag and feel the area again.  The bag magnifies the contaminates on the paint, but if it feels smooth you can skip that step.  
 
If you have not already done so, I recommend picking up some Brilliant Glaze.  It can be applied under Americana, Patriot, or Butter waxes, or over any wax or sealant.  This product really makes paint and chrome 'pop', and is great for putting on before a show.  

Now that's what I'm talking about! Very nice!!!

Welcome to the forum and that's a beautiful Stingray!  Not a fan of the GS with all the white and red stripes, so that makes  yours all the better in my eyes.  My Vettes all like the Patriot wax and Brilliant Glaze.  The glass sealant is really nice, and the Leather Conditioner is all you'll need for the interior. You won't need the leather cleaner for a long, long time.  The conditioner has mild cleaning properties in it, so that will handle any dust or dirt you get into. I use it on my seats, dash, doors, and shift boot.  My last Vette was 11 years old when I traded it in and the ONLY thing that ever touched that interior was Adam's LC.  It still looked brand new.   I use the Adam's Metal Polish on my tailpipes to keep them looking good, and the VRT on the tires.   Not sure what part of the world you're in, but a lot of us head to Carlisle come August and get together on Friday night.  Thanks for posting pics of your ride.  Mine's been under wraps and on life support since November.  Seeing another one out in the wild did me a lot of good today since we got 5" of snow last night.  Yours is a beauty!!

Ok,here are some photos after two bucket wash, clay bar, and buttery wax application. Used Adam’s glaze after that. 

Ok,here are some photos after two bucket wash, clay bar, and buttery wax application. Used Adam’s glaze after that.